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Cover Crop Planting Guidelines

The following tables contain recommendations for planting common cover crop species. Please note that this information should be used as a starting point only. Be sure to consult your owner’s manual for specific seed rates and calibrate your machine prior to planting!

Avoid seeding in hot, dry weather or in crusted soil.
For winter seeding, plant at least 40 days before first kill frost.
Does well on various soils.
Offers a good choice for heavier ground.
Germinates in cool soils.

Can grow in heavy clays and in poorly-drained soils.
Can tolerate waterlogging.
Can establish in cool weather.
More sensitive to seeding depth than other cereals.
If broadcasting in late fall, consider increasing rate to ensure adequate stand.

Succeeds in same soil conditions as alfalfa.
Will not thrive on poorly-drained soils.

White Clover

Type

Long-lived perennial or winter annual legume

Roles

Protects against erosion
Attracts beneficial insects
Living mulch

Seeding Depth (in.)

¼ - ½

Drill Rate (lb./A)

3-9

Broadcast Rate (lb./A)

5-14

Best Established

Late Winter, Early to Late Spring, Early Fall

Minimum Germination Temperature

40°F

Optimal Soil Conditions

Clay and loam soils

Things to Note

Tolerates wet soils, even short flooding.
Grows better in clay and loam soils than sandy soils.
Tolerates short dry spells.
Seed about 40 days before first kill frost.
For summer establishment, humid, cool, shaded conditions work well.

Learn More

No-till drilling is a widely-accepted method for seeding cover crops. In many cases, it is the preferred method due to the numerous benefits it provides. Cover crops are typically drilled immediately after the cash crop is harvested.

Cover crops can be precision-planted after the cash crop is harvested. Planting cover crops with a precision planter is one of the best ways to ensure consistent seed spacing and depth control to ensure a successful stand. Using a twin-row or narrow-row planter works best for even coverage.

Related News and Information

March 16, 2017

A versatile, heavy-duty drill equipped with multiple seed boxes can not only be used to plant your traditional crops, but it can also help you seed challenging cover crop mixes successfully. Using a drill to plant your cover crops will increase the value of your drill investment and maximize its utility across more acres.